The opening instrumental "Visions" sets some high hopes, but the second track bursts in with a simplistic Dream Theater wannabe sound topped off with an annoying vocalist steeped in all the campy theatrics that typify all of the very worst neo-prog of today. Very cheesy indeed. The disc continues onward in essentially the same mode one track after another. Instrumentally, the band is capable enough if they would just do something interesting more often — but it's the painful screeching vocals of Andy Franck that make this disc so unbearable. There are some decent - even if generally unoriginal instrumental passages when Franck's mouth is zipped, but he always comes back and promptly ruins things. I hate writing a band off this way, but Ivanhoe honestly doesn't cut it. I've already given these guys far more space than they deserve. Ivanhoe is to Dream Theater what Deyss was to Marillion.

Latest news

2018-03-05Seaprog 2018 Artist Announcements Raise Festival's Profile –
Seattle's Seaprog festival has been going since 2013, and the 2018 edition features a slate of artists that's sure to bring more attention to the event. Cheer-Accident, Bubblemath, and Free Salamander Exhibit are in the first round announcement of performers. In keeping with their tradition of focusing on regional artists, they will also present a number of artists from Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. [Edit: Just added: Inner Ear Brigade] »
Read more

2018-02-26Adelbert von Deyen RIP –
Word reaches us that German electronic musician Adelbert von Deyen has died. His recorded legacy reaches back to 1978, when Sky Records released Sternzeit. Von Deyen, who was born October 25, 1953 in Süderbrarup, was also known as a painter and graphic artist. »
Read more

2018-02-18Didier Lockwood RIP –
Word reaches us today of the death of one of France's great jazz musicians, violinist Didier Lockwood. His playing bridged many worlds, from traditional jazz to fusion to progressive rock, and his talent can be heard on recordings by Magma, Clearlight, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, and many more. Lockwood was 62. »
Read more

2018-02-1510 Years of Fruits de Mer - The Incomplete Angler –
Those of you who are faithful followers of Exposé will know that we have been promoting Fruits de Mer and its side labels and releases from nearly its first year. Now music journalist and author Dave Thompson has written a book chronicling the past ten years as a celebration of this milestone. »
Read more

2018-02-14Tom Rapp RIP –
Singer / songwriter Tom Rapp, best known with the band Pearls Before Swine, passed away on February 12, at the age of 70, after a battle with cancer. »
Read more

Previously in Exposé...

The Muffins - Double Negative –
I suppose any time a band that has been around as long as the Muffins puts out a new album, there’s going to be some disagreement among fans about its merits. Whether they changed too much or...
(2005) »
Read more